Segphault
@nctv.com
|  New to DSL, Need Modem Advice
Hello everyone,
I'm moving to a new apartment, and since my experience with the only cable ISP in my area has been terrible, I've opted to go with dry-loop DSL (6M/512K). I have no experience with DSL, but since most of the tenants in my (large) complex opt for cable bundles, I'm hoping this will save me from the problems that naturally occur when bit-torrenting college students use overly-spliced cable lines on overloaded trunks. I didn't buy a modem with my service, and I'm having a hard time deciding what to do.
I have a PPPoE capable router (WRT54G running Tomato firmware) that I would like to continue using, so the modem that I purchase need not have routing capabilities as well. In addition, I would like to be able to update firmware, change settings, etc. on the modem that I purchase. With my previous cable provider, you were unable to even telnet into the modems they sold (SB5101) without using specialized hardware (JTAG cables, etc). I assume that the DSL modem AT&T was trying to sell me is the Westell 6100 - should I just buy one of these from them, or is there a better, more capable router that I could purchase from a retail shop?
Also, the person who setup my account did not give me any PPPoE authentication information, and told me that no techs would have to come out to my apartment to activate the service. I assume I will have to call to get the username, but do I need to buy filters, etc. to go with the modem even if the service is dry-loop?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me! |
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RogerADSL
join:2004-12-10
Lawrenceville, GA
 ·Comcast
 ·AT&T Southeast
| No filters required, though ATT will send you a welcome kit. ADSL Modem will be set in bridge mode so any DSL modem will work fine, not much need to mess with the settings. All it does is convert the signal for you. Didn't they offer you a free modem?
Username and password are established using the CD provided in the welcome kit, you will need to set that up. |
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NetFixer
Freedom is NOT Free
Premium
join:2004-06-24
Murfreesboro, TN
 ·Vonage
·AT&T Southeast
 ·Cingular Wireless
·AT&T CallVantage
3 edits | reply to Segphault
As RogerDSL said, any bridge (or brideable) ADSL modem should work. Just be sure to set the VPI/VCI to 8/35 if you are actually in the AT&T SE (formerly BellSouth) area. Your reported location of "@nctv.com" would seem to indicate otherwise, and other AT&T areas use different VPI/VCI values. You may want to check the AT&T FAQs for the area where you are actually located to see what is used in your area if the AT&T welcome kit you receive does not supply this information since you won't be able to rely on the AT&T installation software to set this automatically in your modem if it is not an AT&T supplied modem.
--
We can never have enough of nature.
We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander.
Test your firewall. |
|
NetFixer
Freedom is NOT Free
Premium
join:2004-06-24
Murfreesboro, TN
·Vonage
·AT&T Southeast
·Cingular Wireless
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to RogerADSL
said by RogerADSL  :Didn't they offer you a free modem?
The "free" modem is not available to Direct DSL customers, or to customers who order over the telephone.
--
We can never have enough of nature.
We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander.
Test your firewall. |
|
BobHelms
Premium
join:2008-06-22
Cary, NC | reply to Segphault
Hi Segphault,
FYI Read the threads on this forum about the software supplied on the AT&T CD before installing it on you machine. |
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